A utility vehicle built on a standard passenger car chassis rather than a heavy truck frame. The cab and the cargo tray are integrated into a single unibody structure. Australian and New Zealand mechanics use this term for almost any pickup, but globally it refers specifically to car-based haulers like the Chevrolet El Camino or Ford Ranchero.
Back that ute into the third bay so we can look at the rear suspension.
In Australia and New Zealand, the word applies to almost any pickup truck, while American gearheads reserve it strictly for low-slung, car-based beds.
Also heard as
- utility vehicle
Related terms
Unibody
A unibody is a vehicle construction method where the floor pan and body shell are welded into a single load-bearing structure.
Platform
The shared underlying architecture and mechanical components used across multiple vehicle models.
Bakkie
South African slang for a light pickup truck or utility vehicle.